Electric molding



Feb. 13, 1940. w. sEMENYNA 2,190,196

ELECTRIC MOLDING l Fild Dec. 1o. 195'@ 2 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 13, 1940.w. sEMENYNA 2,190,196

I l ELECTRIC MOLDING Filed Dec. 10, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 by c5 PatentedFel. 13, 1940 Waldimir Semenyna, Boston, Mass. Application December 10,1937,'Serlal No. 179,129

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an electric molding structure and has for itsobject to provide a safe, practical electric molding 'of pleasingappearance which may be attached to the walls of rooms along the ,topedges of base boards, and

around the edges of door and window casings,

and to the surfaces of counters and store xtures, or at any otherlocation where it, may be desirable to provide a plurality of sockets`or outlets at convenient locations to which electric lamps or anyotherv well-known-form of electrical appliance may be easily and quicklyattached by means of a well-known type of electric terminal plug. .l

Another object of theinvention is to provide a molding structureincluding corner and angle members having electric conductors embodiedtherein which may be coupled one to another during installation tocontinue the electric cirj i an electric molding structure which may besafely installed by persons not usually considered skilled in theelectrical art.

4Still anotherobject of the invention is to provide a cover plate forthe molding structure which maybe sprung into position thereon.

lThe invention consists in an electrical molding structure as set forthin the following speciflcation and particularly as pointedv out in theclaims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a portion of a strip of electric moldingembodying my invention. viewing said strip from the direction of thearrow Fig. 3, a portion of the cover plate for the molding being brokenaway to expose the molding structure located therebeneath.

Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating corner and end members for themolding structure of this invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section through the molding as taken onthe line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section through the molding as taken onthe line 4-4 of Fig.' 1.

Fig. 5 is adetail sectional view illustrating a coupling member for theadjacent end portions of two electric conductors for the molding.

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views corresponding to Figs 3 and 4respectively, illustrating a modlned molding structure embodying myinvention. l

Fig. l8 is a sectional view corresponding-to Fig.

3 illustrating another modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5 illustrating modifiedelectric conductors and a coupling member therefor.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the Vseveral views of thedrawings.

`In the drawings, referring particularly to Figs. l to 5 inclusive, I0represents a molding strip or core of any desired length and formed ofany suitable material, preferably an insulating material. The strip I0is provided with ilat rear faces II positioned at an angle of ninetydegrees to each other, a chamfered face I2 intersecting the two facesII, and a front face I3 provided with a chamfered portion I4 whichextends parallel with the rear chamfered surface I2. The mold- -ingstrip I0 is constructed-and arranged to be attached to the surfaces ofwalls at their intersections with other surfaces, as, for example, thefiat top edges of base boards and the edges of door and window casings,and in Figs. 3 and 4 a horizontal face II of a strip IIJ is illustratedas resting upon a flat top surface of a base board I 5, while a verticalface II of said strip rests against the surface of a wall` I 6 to whichit is attached by means of screws Il which extend through lholes I8provided at regular intervals in the strip and extending diagonallytherethrough. A groove I9 is provided in each face II of the moldingstrip 'IU extending lengthwise thereof, and when attaching a strip to ahat surface a strand of ccmpressible material 20, as, for example.rubber, may be inserted in said groove and be compressed therein toprovide a tight i engagement with the surfaces contacted.

` means of a cover plate 24 which covers the entire front face I3 of themolding strip I0. The cover plate 24 is preferably constructed oflaminated Bakelite or similar material and has inwardly projectingflange portions 25 extending Aalong the opposite edges thereof whichare' adapted to be sprung into grooves 26 provided therefor in themolding strip.

Positioned in pairs atv regular intervals in the lmolding strip In andextending .rearwardly from 3| which tric conductor ,22' and ispreferably soldered thereto to make an effective electric connectiontherewith. The other end portion of each electric contact member 28 ispointed at 32 and projects into a recess 33 provided therefor in theside of the hole 21. The electric contact members are thus firmly seatedside by side in separate holes 21 and are insulated one from another bythe material of the molding strip. Side portions 34 of the electriccontact members 28 are parallel one with the other and are yieldablewith'respect to each other to effectively grip the prongs 29 of theelectric terminal plug 38; and one side portion of each contact memberis bent at 35 to facilitate the insertion of said prongs between saidside portions 34. Slots 36 are provided inthe cover plate 24 inalignment with the holes 21 to receive the prongs 29. A-piece of paper31 which may be easily perforated by the prongs 29 is applied to -therear surface of the cover plate 24 over the slots 36. A shallow V-shapedgroove 38 is provided in the front face I3 of the molding strip I0 andextends lengthwise thereof to provide a positioning line for a drillwhenit is necessary during installation to provide additional holes I8 forthe reception of fastening screws I1. -A

During installation gasketso39 constructed of suitable insulationmaterial, preferably rubber, are inserted between the adjacent endportions of the molding strips Ill and said strips are electricallyconnected one to another by means of metal dowel pins 40 which areinserted in the end portions of the tubular electric conductors 22 asillustrated in detail in Fig. 5. A central enlarged portion 4I isprovided upon the dowel pins 40 for the purpose of correctly positioningsaid pins within the electric conducting members.

In Fig. 2 a corner molding member 42 and an end molding member 43 withelectric conducting members 22 therein are illustrated connected one toanother and to a molding strip I8 by dowel pins 40. Gaskets 39 areinterposed between the adjacent end portions of, the members I0, 42 and43. A flat surface 44 is provided upon the top surface of the cornermember 42, and tubular electric conducting members 22 terminate flushwith said surface for the purpose of having a vertically disposedmolding strip I8 electrically connected thereto by dowel pins 40 aspreviously described. The members 42 and 43 are of the samecross-sectional contour as the molding strip I0.

' The electric molding structure hereinbefore described is particularlyadapted to be applied at the intersections .of flat surfaces that arepositioned at an angle of ninety degrees to each other. Where cornersare turned, angle members 42, or equivalent structures, are utilized,and at the end of a line end members or caps 43 are utilized;

all of. these members being spaced apart by insulating gaskets 3S andelectrically connected one o Y mounted in said holes and quickly cut tolength and assembled to provide a safe structure by persons not usuallyconsidered skilled in this art. The numerous outlets provided for thereception of electric plugs and which in effect are 'sockets embodied inthe molding structure makes it possible to attach electrical devicesWherever desired in a room where the molding structure of this inventionis in stalled.

In Figs. 6 and 'I I have illustrated another form of molding structureembodying my invention, but in whichthe electric conductors are insertedfrom the rear of the molding strip instead of from the front. In thisstructure a molding strip 45 of insulating material having a front face46 of the same general formation and appearance as the structurepreviously described is provided with. parallel grooves 41 at the rearthereof which extend lengthwise thereof in which tubular electricconductors 22 are mounted and held by means of a channel shaped strip ofcompressible insulating material 48, as, for example,

mounted in a corner location, the corner porn tions 49 will becompressed inwardly to provide a tight engagement with the surfacescontacted. The strip 45 is secured to a Wall or other location by screwsI1, "and the front face 46 thereof is covered by means of `a plate 24having slots36 provided therein. Holes 21 extend through the strip 45from front to rear, and electric contact ymembers 28 are mounted in saidholes and are attached to the electric conducting members 22 aspreviously described in connection with the structure disclosed in Figs.l to 5 inclusive. In application and general utility, the moldingstructure disclosed in Figs. 6 and '1 is the same as that disclosed inFigs. l to 5 inclusive.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated another modied embodiment of my inventionin which a molding strip 50 of approximately rectangular cross-sectionalcontour and adapted to be attached to a flat surface 5I is provided withparallel grooves 52 at the rear thereof which extend lengthwise thereofand in which tubular electric conducting members 22 are mounted and heldby means of 'a channel-shaped strip of compressible electric insulatingmaterial 53, as, for example, rubber. The rear surface of the material53 is normally located at the position illustrated in dotted lines andis compressed when the molding strip is attached to a flat surface. Thestrip 50 is secured to a wall or other location by screws a plate 54preferably formed of Bakelite. Holes 21 extend rearwardly from the frontface of the strip 58', and electric contact members 28 are and areattached to the electric conducting members 22 as previously described.The general utility of this molding structure is substantially the sameas the structures hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated an alternate type of electric conductingmember for a molding strip formed as a vwire or slender rod 56, andadjacent end portions of said electric conducting members areelectrically connected together by 'means of a sleeve51 which is appliedto said end portions. It is furthermore evident that wellknown forms ofinsulated electric wire may be utilized in the molding strips of thisinvention and that the end portions of the wires of adjacent I1, and theexposed face of said strip is covered by means of molding strips may beelectrically connected toget'her by the sleeves 5'!Y which may beapplied to bare end portions of said wire.

It is evident that the various embodiments of this invention hereinillustrated and described outlets or sockets in the molding structure towhich the plugs of all types of electrical appliances may be instantlyattached.

I claim: r

1. An electric molding of the character described comprising, incombination, a core provided with grooves extending longitudinallythereof, an electric conducting member mounted within each of saidgrooves, a yieldable electric contactmember connected to each conductingmember and adapted to be engaged by the prongs of an electric terminalplug, and a compressible material at the rear of said core adapted toyieldingly engage a surface to which the molding is attached.

2. An electric molding of the character described comprising, incombination, a core of insulating material provided with groovesextending longitudinally thereof and with openings grouped in pairs andcommunicating with said grooves, an electric conducting member mountedwithin each of said grooves, a strip of flexible insulating materialcovering said conducting members and yieldingly holding the latterseated in said grooves, and an electriccontact member permanentlymounted in each of said openings and connected to a conducting member.3. An electric molding of the character described comprising, incombination, a core of insulating material Vprovided with groovesextending longitudinally thereof and with openings grouped in pairsbeside said grooves, a tubular electric conducting member mounted withineach of said grooves, a strip of channel shaped insulat ing materialholding said electric conducting members seated in said grooves, and anelectric contact member mounted in each of said openings and connectedto a conduct-ing member. Y 4. An electric molding of the characterdescribed comprising, in combination, a core of insulating materialprovided with grooves extending longitudinally thereof and with openingsgrouped in'pairs beside said grooves, a tubular electric conductingmember mounted within each of said grooves, a strip of compressibleinsulat- A

